As Boots is one of the leading British health and beauty chains, this report will portray its factors that explain its accomplishments. Discussing Boots’ background helps the readers understand the motives and reasons for the strategic actions the executive director, Richard Baker, has taken in order to help Boots remain at the top of the market. In addition, the report will assess the political, economical, social, and technological (PEST) factors; and strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) affecting the presentation and performance of the businesses within the chemist sector in the present, past and future. Political factors, such as legislation abolishing the retail price maintenance on over the counter drugs; economical factors like interest rates and inflation; social factors, such as peoples’ lifestyles; technological factors, such as security advancement will all be discussed throughout the report.
Threats, such as competition from leading supermarkets as Tescos, has forced Boots to cut prices, invest in newer products and machinery to help Boots’ evolvement and development to rise against their competition. Competition is one of the greatest factors that Boots faces, therefore it will be examined in the report.
Through research and analysis the level of sales for Boots the Chemist and for the retail chemist sector as a whole, it has become apparent that there has been a decrease in sales; However, strategic plans to merge with Alliance Unichem, which holds more than 30% of the UK drug distribution market, will give them the opportunity to expand financially and efficiently. The report’s main aim is to discuss Boots’ factors which have lead to decline in sales in the past and how the future will look like. This has been done through the PEST and SWOT analysis.
1.2 Introduction and History
Boots the chemist is UK 's leading health and beauty retailer. It has more than 1,400 shops in UK and Ireland.
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